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Preparing for Your Surgery

Per your physician’s discretion, laboratory tests, an EKG, and/or medical clearance may be required prior to your procedure.

Fill all prescriptions ordered by your surgeon before the day of surgery.

Within a day or two of your scheduled procedure, a nurse from Vista will call to confirm your surgery date and time.

The nurse will ask you questions regarding your past and current medical conditions, allergies, and current medications. If you take medication for any conditions, ask your doctor and/or the Vista nurse whether or not to take it the day of your surgery.

We encourage you to ask any questions you may have and to report any special needs or requests.

The nurse will instruct you as to what time you are to stop eating and drinking prior to surgery.

For women, if there is a possibility that you are pregnant, please notify your doctor and/or Vista nurse.

Please notify your surgeon of any change in your health, such as a cold, fever, or sore throat.

For your safety, a responsible adult MUST be available to drive you home after your procedure. Your ride will be notified when you are in the recovery room. Plans for discharge will be coordinated with the Vista nurse.

Day of Surgery

What to Bring

  • Insurance card(s) if necessary
  • Any important records such as an advanced directive, living will, or patient advocate forms
  • List of medications and dosage that you are taking, including herbal and over-the-counter medications
  • Medical equipment you may use or have received prior to your surgery
  • Any comfort devices, such as a pillow or blanket, for the ride home

Clothing

  • Please leave valuables at home and remove all jewelry.
  • Wear very loose fitting and comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts, zip-up sweatshirts, drawstring pants, and slip-on shoes or slippers are recommended. Please do not wear anything that needs to be pulled over your head, buckled, or tied.
  • If you are having eye, facial, or neck surgery, large sunglasses and scarves often are useful.

What to Expect

  • Arrive promptly at the time instructed, usually 60 to 90 minutes prior to your surgery time. This will allow adequate time for all necessary admission procedures.
  • You will be greeted by a member of our staff who will escort you to the pre-operative waiting room. **Please note that our waiting room only allows for a patient to be accompanied by 1 or 2 guests.
  • You will change into a Vista hospital gown and fill out all necessary consent forms.
  • A Vista RN will take your vital signs, start an IV if required, discuss post-operative care and instructions, and answer any questions to help ensure your comfort and safety.
  • You will be seen by both your surgeon and anesthesiologist before the procedure.
  • While each individual recovers differently, you may expect to be in the recovery area for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • When you are fully recovered, one of Vista’s trained staff members will safely transport you in a wheelchair to your awaiting ride home.

Discharge Instructions

General Post-Op Instructions

**The medication to sedate you will wear off slowly over the next 24 hours. It is not unusual to feel sleepy and perhaps dizzy during this time. A responsible adult should remain with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.

  • DIET: Unless otherwise instructed, you may eat light meals the day of surgery and your regular diet by the next day. Drink lots of fluids. Remember, a diet high in sodium will cause fluid retention and contribute to swelling. We recommend a low sodium diet and no added salt
  • Bruising and swelling will peak at 3 to 5 days.
  • It is important to get out of bed and walk every 2 to 3 hours, especially the first few days after surgery. Do not lie in bed all day. It is important to get your circulation moving. We recommend assistance the first 24 hours.
  • No strenuous activity for 3 weeks after surgery.
  • Do not drive a car or consume alcoholic beverages for a minimum of 3 to 5 days or while taking narcotics.
  • Avoid touching your incision site.
  • Do not be alarmed if you experience a minimum amount of watery, blood-tinged drainage from your incision. If you are concerned about the amount of drainage, please call your surgeon.
  • Do not take drugs containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Nuprin, Advil, Motrin, etc.). Tylenol is okay.
  • To help avoid nausea, when you take your antibiotic or pain medication, eat a little food with them, something non-fatty and bland such as yogurt, crackers, and oatmeal.
  • Drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes in them, such a coconut water, low-sodium soups, and Gatorade.
  • Walk and get up as much as possible, even the day right after surgery.

Please notify your doctor if you experience:

  1. Pain from your surgical area is not relieved by the pain medication
  2. Operative area shows sign of infection, becomes reddened, swollen, has pus discharge, becomes cold, numb, changes in color, or if the pain increases over the 72 hours
  3. Temperature remains over 101 F
  4. Visual disturbance
  5. Severe headache
  6. Loss of movement or sensation in extremities
  7. Severe increase in back or neck pain
  8. Stiff neck
  9. Loss of bowel or bladder control

**If you feel like you are in need of immediate medical attention, please do not hesitate to call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency department.